"So bright…"
"It's a flash of light!"
"ADMIRAL KIZARU!!!"
The deck of the Moby Dick erupted into chaos as Kizaru's sudden appearance caught them completely off guard.
Two crew members instinctively attacked him, swinging their blades.
"What the hell are you doing? Are you trying to get yourselves killed?!"
Roy's voice rang out from behind them, and the two froze mid-swing.
"You were this close to dying~," Kizaru mused lazily.
"Yeah, they really were," Roy agreed.
"I don't want to fight you, but… I am a Marine, and you are a pirate. Your actions should come with consequences," Kizaru said, adjusting his glasses.
"What actions? Just existing as a pirate? Do we need Marine approval for everything now?" Roy scoffed.
"Of course. The Marines uphold peace across the seas."
"Problem is, I haven't done anything wrong."
"Which is why I'm asking~ What were you doing near Amazon Lily? That was their territory you came from, right? Or are you going to tell me you've already wiped them out?"
"No need to worry. I just stopped by the South Sea for a bit."
"Don't lie. You weren't gone long enough for that, and we didn't get any word from South Sea bases."
"So the Marines have been watching me."
"Naturally~ Someone as dangerous as you needs careful observation."
"And have you seen me do anything wrong?"
"It's better to prevent things before they happen."
"You're overthinking it. I'm heading back to the New World. Are you planning to follow?"
"Nah~ I'll pass. But there is something I'd like to ask."
"Go on."
"About a certain missing Marine Admiral… Have you seen him?"
Roy hadn't expected Kizaru to ask about Aokiji, but it made sense, they had just crossed paths days ago. And their conversation had been… interesting.
"Yeah, I saw him once," Roy nodded.
"Where is he now?"
"I don't know. He wanted to join the Whitebeard Pirates, but I turned him down."
"HE WHAT?!"
Kizaru's usual lazy demeanor cracked for a split second. Aokiji, joining pirates? A Marine Admiral defecting to the enemy?
"You're not joking?"
"Nope. Said it himself. If he weren't so ill-fitting for the crew, I might've taken him in."
"That's a problem. We can't let him fall into that mindset. Why did you turn him down? An Admiral joining your crew would've been a huge asset.
"Sure, but he refused to call Newgate 'Pops.' If he can't do that, he's not one of us. We're a family, and I won't risk letting in a potential spy."
"Fair point. But if he's even thinking like that, he's dangerous,"
"So, can we go now? I don't want to fight you either."
"Yeah~ I'd rather not either." Kizaru shrugged.
"Truce? You go your way, I go mine."
"Deal~ His defection is a much bigger problem. I need to report this immediately. As for you… Do head back to the New World."
"How merciful of you."
Neither of them had the will to fight. Kizaru needed to address the more urgent issue, Aokiji.
If Aokiji really turned pirate, it would be a massive blow to the Marines. Not only would they lose a top-tier combatant, but they'd also gain a new, terrifying enemy.
An Admiral's strength rivaled a Yonko's. His reputation alone could rally countless allies.
Kizaru returned to his ship, where the five Vice Admirals awaited.
"Admiral Borsalino, what happened?" asked Strawberry.
"Nothing. Ignore them. They're heading back to the New World. We're returning to HQ," Kizaru replied.
"Why are we leaving now?" Doberman asked, confused.
"There's something more important."
"More important than the Whitebeard Pirates?" Onigumo asked.
"Yes."
"What is it?" Yamakaji asked with a smirk.
"It's about Kuzan."
"Aokiji?" Momonga looked at Kizaru sharply. "Where is he now?"
"Not sure. But he met with Roy recently. According to Roy, Aokiji wanted to join the Whitebeard Pirates."
"WHAT?!"
"That's impossible!"
"You can't be serious!"
"I don't believe it!"
"We have to find him, or eliminate him."
The five Vice Admirals, part of a Buster Call-level fleet, nearly exploded in outrage. The thought of Aokiji becoming a pirate was too much to accept.
Doberman even suggested killing him outright; there was no way they could allow him to join the enemy.
"Are you sure the info is accurate?" Momonga asked again.
"It came from Roy. That guy lies a lot, but this time, I don't think he's bluffing," Kizaru replied.
"Either way, we need to find him. Take him out if necessary," Doberman declared.
"If he betrays the Navy, he cannot be allowed to live," said Onigumo grimly.
"Let's discuss this with Fleet Admiral Sakazuki first," Yamakaji said.
"Right. That's why I said we need to head back to HQ. A Marine Admiral defecting isn't a small matter," Kizaru agreed.
"If this is true, it's going to be a major disaster," Strawberry muttered.
While panic gripped the Marines, Roy had already reached Sabaody Archipelago.
"Big Bro… did Aokiji really betray the Marines?" Namur asked, stunned.
He hadn't heard Roy and Aokiji's conversation earlier. The idea of an Admiral turning traitor shocked him.
"Yeah. He's made up his mind, and there's no going back now." Roy smiled faintly.
"Wait… was that your doing?"
"Do you really think someone who talks about joining a pirate crew can go back to being a Marine?"
"Big bro… You just cut off his path completely!" Namur gasped.
"Not exactly," Roy chuckled.
"You're scary, big bro," Namur said.
"You're overthinking it. I just told him the truth. What the Navy does with it is their business."
Meanwhile, the Marine fleet had returned to headquarters.
"WHAT?!!"
Akainu slammed his fist on the table, furious, smoke billowing around him.
"This is just Roy's claim; it could be false!" Momonga argued, still defending his friend.
"Regardless of whether it's true or not, we bring him in. Now," Akainu snarled.
"Let's get him back first. He hasn't officially become a pirate yet," Sengoku said beside him.
....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
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